Assistant Director of External Affairs

The Assistant Director of External Affairs serves as a strategic leader responsible for developing implementing and evaluating the County Clerks Office communications public affairs community engagement and stakeholder relations programs. This position provides leadership and direction for a multidisciplinary team responsible for communications media relations community outreach public information requests Commissioners Court support functions and administrative operations.

The Assistant Director is responsible for identifying opportunities to increase the visibility of the County Clerks Office through public education initiatives strategic partnerships media engagement speaking opportunities and community outreach campaigns. This position evaluates the effectiveness of communications and engagement efforts recommends strategic adjustments and ensures messaging remains consistent accessible and aligned with the mission and goals of the office.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled communications and public affairs professional with strong strategic planning relationship-building and leadership abilities. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment political awareness creativity and the ability to translate complex government services and initiatives into meaningful accessible information for diverse audiences.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a job classification within the Management job family. Incumbents in this classification oversee the External Affairs division in the County Clerks Office and report to the Chief Deputy of Elections. The incumbent manages a group of six subordinate professionals at various office locations including telework.

• Develops implements and evaluates comprehensive communications outreach and public engagement strategies that advance the County Clerks Office mission strategic priorities and public service objectives.
• Leads the development of public awareness education and engagement campaigns; identifies opportunities to expand community reach strengthen stakeholder
  relationships and increase public understanding of County Clerk programs services and initiatives.
• Oversees community engagement efforts including outreach plans presentations public events stakeholder meetings and strategic partnerships ensuring activities align with organizational goals and community needs.
• Directs communications activities including media relations social media management public messaging talking points public information materials and responses to external inquiries ensuring messaging is accurate consistent accessible and aligned with office priorities.
• Provides strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding communications initiatives stakeholder engagement public perception emerging issues and opportunities to enhance public trust and awareness.
• Establishes goals performance measures and evaluation methods for communications and outreach initiatives; analyzes outcomes and community feedback to improve effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Supervises Commissioners Court support functions including court minutes agenda and records requests and records digitization efforts ensuring compliance with applicable laws policies and operational standards.
• Supervises coaches and develops assigned staff; establishes priorities and performance expectations; provides regular feedback and accountability; and fosters strategic thinking innovation collaboration and professional growth within the division.
• Promotes continuous improvement by encouraging creative problem-solving identifying new opportunities for public engagement and implementing innovative
  approaches to communications and outreach.
• Represents the office in meetings public events media engagements and community activities serving as a professional ambassador for the County Clerks Office and its mission.

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Public Administration Business Administration Government Criminal Justice or a directly related field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in government or related field including two (2) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience;

OR

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses Registrations Certifications or Special Requirements:

None required.


Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles practices and techniques.
• Strategic communications public affairs media relations community engagement and stakeholder relations principles and best practices.
• Strategic planning performance measurement and program evaluation methodologies.
• Budget development administration and resource allocation practices.
• Principles of organizational leadership change management and employee development.
• Public meeting processes governmental operations and intergovernmental relations.
• Computer equipment and software applications including word processing spreadsheets databases content management systems social media platforms and
  presentation software.
• Business writing grammar punctuation and report preparation.

• Developing and implementing strategic communications outreach and public engagement initiatives.
• Leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Supervising staff allocating resources managing performance and fostering professional development.
• Strategic planning program development monitoring and evaluation.
• Developing public education awareness and engagement campaigns.
• Building partnerships and maintaining effective relationships with community organizations governmental entities media representatives and stakeholders.
• Analyzing issues exercising sound judgment and making effective decisions in complex
  or sensitive situations.
• Developing monitoring and managing program budgets and resources.
• Conflict resolution negotiation and consensus-building.
• Verbal and written communication including public speaking presentations executive communications and media interactions.

• Develop and execute strategic plans initiatives and engagement strategies that support organizational goals.
• Advise executive leadership on communications stakeholder engagement public perception and emerging issues.
• Develop mentor coach and evaluate staff while fostering accountability innovation and strategic thinking.
• Develop and implement policies procedures operational plans and performance measures.
• Identify opportunities for organizational improvement and recommend innovative solutions.
• Analyze complex information evaluate alternatives and develop practical recommendations.
• Represent the County Clerks Office effectively with elected officials community leaders media representatives governmental agencies and the public.
• Prepare and present administrative operational and statistical reports.
• Manage multiple priorities meet deadlines and organize diverse activities in a fast-paced environment.
• Prepare correspondence memoranda presentations briefing materials and other written communications.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials community stakeholders representatives of outside agencies County employees and the general public.
• Respond effectively and professionally to sensitive controversial or high-profile issues and situations.
• Work extended and non-traditional hours including evenings weekends holidays and overtime during critical operations periods and election cycle

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-15 pounds occasionally visual acuity speech and hearing hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing walking sitting repetitive motion reaching climbing stairs bending stooping kneeling crouching crawling pushing pulling balancing client/customer contact squatting to perform the essential functions. The position involves regular voter and public contact occasional outdoor activities and a potential risk of exposure to odors communicable diseases and hazardous materials. The role is subject to high-stress environments particularly during election cycles and requires availability for on-call assignments during critical operation periods.

Travis County employees play an essential role in maintaining business continuity of County operations and may be assigned to duties outside of their normal job functions including emergency response disaster recovery or continuity efforts as needed. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and is not an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. Essential functions assigned duties and overtime eligibility may vary based on operational needs and specific assignments.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm Monday-Friday.

Location: 5501 Airport

Department:County Clerk

Criminal Driving Education and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position contact:

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.